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I recommend you read some of the excerpts posted on this site, prior to ordering. They provide a good indication of the subject matter and the manner it is presented. I found this book personally very helpful. It has proven to be a trusted reference, and a tremendous source of both medical and personal information.
Musa makes it easy to comprehend a lot of the technical information. She has a way of breaking down the many facets of this disease, and bringing order to a complex issue. It is easier to digest so much information and make informed decisions when someone has completed an outline of the puzzle for you.
As an early stage breast cancer survivor myself, I was apprehensive about reading this book. Why borrow trouble; ignorance is bliss. But, considering that my mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer less than a year ago, reality seemed like the viable option for me.
Fear of breast cancer returning or spreading can be just as difficult as treatment for cancer. I felt calmer after reading about some of the people Musa profiled in her book. It's hard to explain this in a book review, but sometimes people have a way of saying things (or writing them) that makes them less overwhelming. The way that Musa has "explained" advanced breast cancer made it easier for me to relax and realize that there are just some things that you have to deal with...and you can.
Musa's book provided validation for my mother that she had made educated treatment decisions. It gave me a clearer picture of my mother's disease, and most importantly - a lot of hope. I probably won't have to deal with breast cancer again. If I do, I will be prepared (and armed) with valuable information.
Musa's book addresses how metastatic cancer effects all of those people who must live with it,(not just the identified patient,) in a way that is respectful but quite accurate.
One does not have to have metastatic cancer to appreciate this book. I appreciate that this book addresses the proverbial tight rope one must walk once the words are uttered, "you have breast cancer."
Having been diagnosed with primary breast cancer, and having the honor of watching my mom live and die with the illness, I find myself seeking out those people, places, situations, and books that speak to my heart in the way Musa's book does.
This book not only deepens my understanding of what it is like to live with metastatic disease, I am also inspired by the vision of strength and passion of those who frequently see their mortality reflected in pathology reports and CT scans.
My friends with metastatic disease have told me that this book has helped them share their own experiences more comfortably with friends and has given them reassurance on a path that is sometimes lonely and often frightening.
I purchased this book so that I could understand my mother's recent diagnosis, and it definitely gave me insight. As her eventual caregiver, I want to know everything I can about this disease. This book shows us the harsh realities of the disease, and though the content is pretty depressing, it has prepared me to deal with what is happening--and what lies ahead.
I have some criticisms about this book, though, on a general/technical level: 1) I felt like there was a lot of repetition in the book. Some of the quotes were repeated more than once...and eliminating some of this unnecessary repetition would really cut down on the book's length. Which brings me to 2) The book is terribly long, and I feel like the same thing could have been said in a more pared down version (including removal of the repeated quotes). Length is a problem for those of us who are suddenly overwhelmed with so much extra responsibility from a sick loved one...and, as in my mother's case, though a patient could benefit from some of the book's information they may be very tired, uncomfortable, stressed, depressed, confused and therefore cannot read many pages at a time.
If you are looking for a book on this subject...and if you have the time and energy to read it...then by all means do! It's one of the few you'll find that deal with advanced breast cancer, and though it's realities may give you a harsh slap in the face it's definitely calming to prepare yourself for the inevitabilities.
As an allied healthcare worker (nuclear medicine technologist) this book has even changed how I deal with ALL of my patients in nuclear medicine, as Musa's friends speak from the pages as wise, kind, sages with messages for the world. I have worked in healthcare for 20 years and thought I had a very firm grasp of patient care and a feel for what was important. Musa's book redefined all that I knew. I think the word for this type of experience is epiphany. Now, when I hear docs at my hospital and at my nuclear medicine meetings try to give guesses about what their patients are most interested in - well you guessed it - I whip out my copy of Musa's book (I explain to them about the name change) and I let Musa and some of my friends speak for themselves as to what is real.. Docs are nothing short of awe struck that Musa could illicit literally hundreds of responses to her internet queries, when they, as life-savers, only get a scant few responses to surveys they pass out to their patients and their families.
As painful as this labor of love must have been for Musa, my guess is that divine intervention decided that someone should bear witness for an extraordinary group of warriors and their beloved troops. It is more than mere coincidence to me that Musa's name is so similar to the famed samurai warrior, Musashi, who tailored his tactics to the mission at hand, who knew the value of preparedness and the importance of character, and whose leadership strategies triumphed in life-or-death situatoins whereby if a battle was lost, the spirit of the warrior never was. This is the spirit of Musa Mayer's book.
I would dare say that there is no one alive who could read this book without being uplifted, informed and intrigued with knowledge and debth as to how to live when life deals you a difficult and unexpected hand. No matter what the medical problem, this text has information that translates so smoothly that it is a wonder that it has not been rewritten to apply to anyone of any diagnosis (and to those who love and care for them).
Toya T. Powell
Each of us bears his own Hell.
-- Publius Vergilius Maro (Virgil)
"But I don't like Spam!!!!"
